John the Baptist. He wrote no epistles and none of his sermons were preserved for us to read. And yet Jesus said there was never a greater prophet than John the Baptist. But when they asked John who he was, he said of himself ” I am just a voice crying in the wilderness”.

John was sent from God. He had a purpose and that purpose was to bear witness that Jesus is the Light of the world. He was born to point to Jesus and say, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. John knew that he was not worthy to untie Jesus’ shoes. He knew that he would decrease while Jesus increased. He knew that it might cost him his head but still he raised his voice to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. Even though he knew all this, he was happy to be nothing more than ” A voice crying in the wilderness”.

Sometimes I wonder if there are any modern day Christians who get this. It seems that pastors must spend all their time refereeing fights and soothing hurt feelings because of church members who wish to be the greatest in the church. I am convinced most local churches are severely hindered today because of so many people who think they are much too important to be nothing but “A voice crying in the wilderness.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all God’s people were consumed with a desire to point people to Jesus. We are born again for this purpose. Jesus must increase and we must decrease. We must be willing to lose our heads for the privilege of declaring that Jesus is The Son Of God. Behold the Kingdom of Heaven is near and we must be satisfied to be nothing but, ” A voice crying in the wilderness.”

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends